Taylor Seprish – Crafting Stories Through Cocktails at Rumba, Seattle
Early Life and Path to Bartending
Every bartender has a story, and for Taylor Seprish, that story is steeped in creativity, curiosity, and a desire to connect with people through flavor. Long before she became a featured bartender at Rumba in Seattle, she was already fascinated by the ways in which food and drink could tell stories, spark conversations, and create lasting memories.
Growing up, Seprish was the kind of person who gravitated toward the sensory. She found joy in exploring tastes, experimenting with ingredients, and watching how hospitality could transform a room. The decision to become a bartender wasn’t immediate; it came after years of exploring different avenues of service and self-expression. Yet once she stepped behind the bar, she discovered a space where artistry and human connection lived side by side.
Joining Seattle’s Vibrant Cocktail Scene
Seattle, with its thriving cocktail culture and reputation for innovation, provided the perfect stage for Seprish to grow. By the time she joined Rumba, one of the city’s most celebrated rum-focused bars, she had already built a foundation of technique, curiosity, and confidence.
At Rumba, she found both freedom and challenge. Known for its expansive rum selection and playful approach to cocktails, the bar demanded creativity and precision in equal measure. Seprish quickly rose to the occasion, making a name for herself as a bartender with a unique voice and style.
Her work at Rumba is not only about mixing spirits but about designing experiences. Each cocktail she creates is intentional, balancing flavors and presentation while reflecting her philosophy that a great drink should engage all the senses.
Featured Cocktails – Expressions of Identity
Seprish’s cocktail program at Rumba has garnered attention for its innovation, artistry, and range. Each drink she crafts reflects both her technical skill and her ability to translate emotions, ideas, and inspirations into liquid form.
Petal to the Metal
- Ingredients: Ghia Original Aperitif, Non-Alcoholic Elderflower Liqueur, Lime Juice, Pineapple Juice, Bitter Rose Syrup
- Garnish: Lime Wheel, Rose Petals
- Philosophy: A playful non-alcoholic cocktail that demonstrates Seprish’s belief in inclusivity behind the bar. This drink is bright, floral, and celebratory — proof that thoughtful cocktails don’t need alcohol to shine.
The Déjà Brew
- Ingredients: Non-Alcoholic Amaro Lucano, Coffee, Coconut Cream, Orange-Rosemary Syrup
- Garnish: Rosemary, Orange Peel
- Philosophy: A nod to coffee culture and ritual, this cocktail brings together bitterness, sweetness, and creaminess in harmony. It represents Seprish’s ability to take familiar flavors and reimagine them in unexpected ways.
Through the Grapevine
- Ingredients: Rhum Agricole, Panamanian Rum, Grappa, Manischewitz, Amoro De Vino, Orgeat, Lemon Juice, Black Walnut Bitters
- Garnish: Mint, Grape Gummy Candy
- Philosophy: A layered, complex cocktail that merges cultures and ingredients. This drink is both playful and sophisticated, embodying Seprish’s approach of honoring tradition while adding whimsy.
Disco Nap
- Ingredients: Jamaican Rum, Guyanese Rum, Plum Wine, Papaya Juice, Black Sesame Syrup
- Philosophy: Bold, tropical, and unexpected, this cocktail is designed to wake up the senses. With its rich combination of rum, fruit, and sesame, it captures Seprish’s style: adventurous yet balanced.
Philosophy – Cocktails as Inclusive Storytelling
What sets Taylor Seprish apart is not just her creativity, but her philosophy of inclusivity and storytelling. She sees cocktails as more than drinks; they are narratives in a glass. By incorporating both traditional spirits and non-alcoholic options, she ensures that everyone can participate in the cocktail experience.
For Seprish, a great bartender is also a listener. The process begins with the guest: what they’re feeling, what they’re craving, and what story they want to tell. Her role is to translate that into a beverage that speaks to the moment.
Recognition and Rising Influence
By August 2025, Seprish’s reputation in Seattle had grown significantly. At Rumba, she became a central figure in the bar’s identity, contributing to its reputation as one of the city’s premier cocktail destinations. Her work has been recognized not only for technical excellence but also for its creativity, inclusiveness, and artistry.
As Seattle continues to expand its place in America’s cocktail culture, bartenders like Seprish are shaping its identity. Her blend of innovation, mindfulness, and hospitality has made her one of the city’s most exciting rising talents.
Looking Ahead – A Legacy in the Making
While still in the early stages of her career, Taylor Seprish has already carved out a clear voice in the industry. Her cocktails balance the whimsical and the refined, the classic and the experimental. She is part of a new generation of bartenders redefining what hospitality looks like — one that values inclusivity, creativity, and personal connection as much as technical mastery.
The future for Seprish is wide open. Whether continuing to elevate Rumba’s program or one day curating her own bar, her path promises to be one where every cocktail tells a story, and every guest feels part of the narrative.
A Bartender with Purpose
At its core, Taylor Seprish’s story is about finding artistry in unexpected places. From Seattle’s Rumba, she has emerged as a bartender who doesn’t just serve drinks but crafts experiences that resonate. Through cocktails like Petal to the Metal, The Déjà Brew, Through the Grapevine, and Disco Nap, she has shown her ability to blend technique, imagination, and heart.
Her journey is proof that bartending, when approached with artistry and intention, can be as profound as any other creative pursuit. And for Seprish, every night behind the bar is another opportunity to create, connect, and inspire.